The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Watched all of these this weekend:

“National Treasure.”

A fine adventure film with plenty of fun action and peril, some witty moments, and some intriguing mysteries. This film is probably most notable for its original premise and its exploration of American history and legends. Sean Bean makes a good bad guy as always; Nicholas Cage did okay. The music was really cool; I should consider buying the soundtrack…

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)



“Army of Darkness” (Director’s Cut; has a rather amusing ending)

The entertainment value of this film is through the roof! It has action. It has zany comedy and lots of hilarious lines. It has horror and an occult-themed mystique. It has fantasy. Aside from a somewhat cheap production value and some annoying camera moves, this movie has it all baby!

4.5/5 (entertainment: 6/5 (… yes, it’s that much fun!), story: 3/5, film: 4/5)



“War of the Worlds” 2005

I remember when this first came out, I kept hearing nothing but nitpicking. I can’t deny that I got nitpicks of my own (yeah, the lightning thing is a little weak, and the character is a deadbeat), but I’ve always felt that this film has so much going for it to outweigh the bad. The action and SFX are incredible, even if they are limited and kept to the background (if anything, this makes it a little more harrowing and unique). Cameramanship everywhere else is superb; imagery is fantastic. Lots of scenes are grim and harrowing, and some are very suspenseful and gripping. And for a change, Tom Cruise did a decent job acting!

That sound those tripods make is still scary.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4.5/5)

The Blu-Ray is pretty grainy, but in a good way. Fine details are strong, colors and contrast look as good as they should. It’s the best I’ve seen it on disc. Sound quality is fantastic.

I’m still thinking they should make a “WotW” movie that follows the book, set in the same era that it actually takes place in. And they should use Jeff Wayne's musical.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

well with all this blabberin' about Triangle (at least i think that's what you guys (squid / jhiggy / surfdude) are still talking about) i decided to buy it just a few minutes ago. i didn't know when i bought it, but it comes with an option for "video on demand" for the film. if i didn't have to work in a few hours i would watch it now to see what all the chirpin' is about, but i guess i'll just have to wait and will probably wait till it arrives on wednesday anyway so i can watch it on blu.

i have a feeling it will be a film where details are important and watching on a 17" screen isn't gonna cut it.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

You said



Agree 100%. I give the writer/director HUGE credit here. In fact, thats why I rate this film as high as I do and enjoy it as much as I do. The potential for loose ends and missed tie-togethers is FREQUENT, no, its CONSTANT and ENOURMOUS. There was really no moment where I had to say "Wait, that wouldnt work because......." . A filmmaker could have all too easily dropped the ball on this. During the film I literally thought to myself, Wow, this guy is actually pulling it all together.

Its a simple story that becomes highly complex, and the telling of the story is where the genius lies.

I agree 100%. I have a theory, albeit not a very complex one (pretty obvious actually), about why the title is Triangle and why it's a misnomer, since I firmly believe

[Show spoiler]that the Bermuda Triangle has nothing to do with the film, even the loop. Storm yes, Bermuda Triangle, no. I might have some more mythology too, to go along with it. I'll write it up later.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I agree 100%. I have a theory, albeit not a very complex one (pretty obvious actually), about why the title is Triangle and why it's a misnomer, since I firmly believe

[Show spoiler]that the Bermuda Triangle has nothing to do with the film, even the loop. Storm yes, Bermuda Triangle, no. I might have some more mythology too, to go along with it. I'll write it up later.

They should have named the movie

[Show spoiler]Loop

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

well with all this blabberin' about Triangle (at least i think that's what you guys (squid / jhiggy / surfdude) are still talking about) i decided to buy it just a few minutes ago. i didn't know when i bought it, but it comes with an option for "video on demand" for the film. if i didn't have to work in a few hours i would watch it now to see what all the chirpin' is about, but i guess i'll just have to wait and will probably wait till it arrives on wednesday anyway so i can watch it on blu.

i have a feeling it will be a film where details are important and watching on a 17" screen isn't gonna cut it.

dude, good call!!! but BEWARE: this film sucks you in!!

I just got a tattoo on my arm on the way back from lunch!! I also can't stop dreaming about Melissa George holding an axe...so sexy

[Show spoiler]I wouldn't put up any resistance

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I agree 100%. I have a theory, albeit not a very complex one (pretty obvious actually), about why the title is Triangle and why it's a misnomer, since I firmly believe

[Show spoiler]that the Bermuda Triangle has nothing to do with the film, even the loop. Storm yes, Bermuda Triangle, no. I might have some more mythology too, to go along with it. I'll write it up later.

hmmm, I dunno.

[Show spoiler]This writer/director is either (A) becoming the biggest "fake clue" dude ever, with 237 and Triangle, or (B) is telling us, in essence, "all of the above...you pick what you like...I'll provide you with a variety of options, which may be combined, you pick one and make your theory". I don't think the Syphius/hell theory, Shining theory, and Triangle theory are all mutually exclusive. There is some overlap (even if it is only in certain acts/parts of the film). I wanna find that overlap, pitch a tent and chill out there 4ever!!!!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

OK. Here we gooooooooo....

[Show spoiler]Context? You want context? I'll give you context. I viewed this as a psychological/fantasy/thriller and therefore had no need for realism. I enjoyed it in the same fashion as, say, Indiana Jones or the Transporter.

In my theory, there are no spirits in Jess or haunting jess. Jess is real. Jess is not sleeping. She is actually experiencing all of this. In hell.

I believe that the Loop is hell. Hell and heaven are (according to those who believe) places of magical proportion and capabilities. Anything goes. Anything is possible in heaven and hell, so I just accept anything the story delivers. Where and when hell is, I dont know and dont care. Heaven and hell are very mysterious and full of unknowns.

The clones as you call them are simply the same Jess that had arrived before, or after OUR Jess in the Loop. But they are all "real" and going through the Loop as well. There are many. Their purpose is simply to be characters in the Loop so that the Loop can exist. How did they arrive? I dont know, the film doesnt say, and we dont know how anyone "gets" to Hell. We know "why" people go to hell, but not "how" they get there.

The fact that the Loop takes place at sea means nothing. The fact that the ship is old means nothing. Its simply the venue for Jess' personal hell.

The Jess that we follow can not choose which Jess to be. But we watch her discover that the other Jess' exist. We watch her discover the hooded one that she knocks off the ship. In the same way, and during her stay on the ship, she REALIZES that she is in a Loop. She also realizes that there are other versions of herself stuck in the loop as well. Some arriving to the loop before her, and some arriving after. Remember the new arrivals that come aboard from the capsized yacht AFTER our Jess is already there? Remember the car keys in the hall that OUR Jess finds? Those were dropped by the Jess that arrived before our Jess. Then later, our Jess is the one that drops them. After our Jess knocks the other one overboard, our Jess realizes that its "her turn" in the line, or queue of Jess's. Its her turn to be the one who gets knocked off. She voluntarily (out of desperation) suits up, plays the role, entices and engages the fresh NEW Jess, and kaboom she gets knocked off. And its likely that the Jess that knocked her off, will later, suit up and do the deeds and get knocked off as well. Its important (for my theory) to remember that there are bunch of Jess', and we are just following one of them. Each one will play every role as they advance through the cycle of the Loop.

As far as the room 327 thing, it could be a nod to the shining or a coincidence. Either way, it didnt bother me, in fact I liked it. I dont think this story is ANYTHING like the shining. Jack was going nuts from isolation over a long period of time. The Loop is only one day and Jess isnt going nuts, she isnt alone, shes just suffering, in hell, being forced to do bad things over and over to be able to see her son ONE MORE TIME, only to have him die, and its her fault, over and over again, forever, and ever, and ever, for all eternity. JHiggy is right, thats a pretty perfect hell for a Mom.

Thats what I see anyway. The more I BS'd with JHiggy, the more I blended his take with mine and this is where I have arrived. I hope I explained that well enough.

bravo dude!! I get you now!! great explanation!! effectively, she's like a

[Show spoiler] doll being made in a factory. the doll first gets its legs and arms stuck to its torso (jess dropping keys, jess saving other 3 from sniper, etc), but eerily feels like its already gone through this before, then it sees out of the corner of its eyes, that a fully dressed doll is getting put in a packaged box with a blue dress (jess sniper, jess sniper falling off ship)...so later on when the leg/arm/torso doll is getting her hair stuck in and dress put on her (jess sniping up), she already knows "i'll be put in the box soon" (jess knows she'll be shooting people, falling off boat soon)

what a friggin mind-bender!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

hmmm, I dunno.

[Show spoiler]This writer/director is either (A) becoming the biggest "fake clue" dude ever, with 237 and Triangle, or (B) is telling us, in essence, "all of the above...you pick what you like...I'll provide you with a variety of options, which may be combined, you pick one and make your theory". I don't think the Syphius/hell theory, Shining theory, and Triangle theory are all mutually exclusive. There is some overlap (even if it is only in certain acts/parts of the film). I wanna find that overlap, pitch a tent and chill out there 4ever!!!!

Did you happen to catch the name of the oceanliner? It strongly supports JHiggys arguement. Irrefutably actually.

The oceanliners name was

[Show spoiler]SS Aeolus.

Aeolus was the father of Sisyphus.

You want overlap? I'll give you overlap.

[Show spoiler]It IS hell, but the portal for access is the Bermuda Triangle.

Leave The Shining thing alone. It got deflated long ago.

[CZAR]

U guys need to make a thread about Triangle haha. Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

bravo dude!! I get you now!! great explanation!! effectively, she's like a

[Show spoiler] doll being made in a factory. the doll first gets its legs and arms stuck to its torso (jess dropping keys, jess saving other 3 from sniper, etc), but eerily feels like its already gone through this before, then it sees out of the corner of its eyes, that a fully dressed doll is getting put in a packaged box with a blue dress (jess sniper, jess sniper falling off ship)...so later on when the leg/arm/torso doll is getting her hair stuck in and dress put on her (jess sniping up), she already knows "i'll be put in the box soon" (jess knows she'll be shooting people, falling off boat soon)

what a friggin mind-bender!!

And conciously chooses to participate, out of sheer desperation.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

U guys need to make a thread about Triangle haha. Got Em!!

True.

Join us. I've been hounding you for months. Are you starting to catch on that it is worthy?

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

True.

Join us. I've been hounding you for months. Are you starting to catch on that it is worthy?

I almost blind bought this film this past weekend for 14.99 at frys but couldnt pull the trigger sorry. Haha. Got Em!!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Did you happen to catch the name of the oceanliner? It strongly supports JHiggys arguement. Irrefutably actually.

The oceanliners name was

[Show spoiler]SS Aeolus.

Aeolus was the father of Sisyphus.

You want overlap? I'll give you overlap.

[Show spoiler]It IS hell, but the portal for access is the Bermuda Triangle.

Leave The Shining thing alone. It got deflated long ago.

Ahhh I could buy that. I simply choose not to though because I think the film is so ingenius that it doesn't have to stoop to B-movie horror cliches

Another good catch--I knew the name was important when I heard it, but I couldn't remember when I was writing all my reviews.

And I plan on copying and pasting all the Triangle responses into a thread tonite or tomorrow.

I have a funny story about triangle tattoos btw....coming up later!

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

“Army of Darkness” (Director’s Cut; has a rather amusing ending)

The entertainment value of this film is through the roof! It has action. It has zany comedy and lots of hilarious lines. It has horror and an occult-themed mystique. It has fantasy. Aside from a somewhat cheap production value and some annoying camera moves, this movie has it all baby!

4.5/5 (entertainment: 6/5 (… yes, it’s that much fun!), story: 3/5, film: 4/5)

Yes! Love this movie, so fantastic and cheesy. Bruce Campbell is so awesome! I wish he'd do another...."This, is my boomstick!"

[HanaBi]

VALHALLA RISING

8/10

Waking-dream Viking death-trip.

Followed by Q&A with director Nicolas Winding Refn. I need to check out his other films now, though this is unlike anything he's done before. He's described it as a science fiction film without the science. Very moody, very cool. Check it out in the theater if you can!

[Q?]

Originally Posted by HanaBi

VALHALLA RISING

8/10

Waking-dream Viking death-trip.

Followed by Q&A with director Nicolas Winding Refn. I need to check out his other films now, though this is unlike anything he's done before. He's described it as a science fiction film without the science. Very moody, very cool. Check it out in the theater if you can!

I will blindbuy this one.

You need to check out Pusher by the same director, it's great. Part of a trilogy, but I don't know if the latter two are just as great.

Also directed Bronson which supposedly is just as awesome.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Great to hear. The more and more good reviews I hear of this film just assures I will be blind buying. Got Em!!

2/24/10

Originally Posted by CZAR

I almost blind bought this film this past weekend for 14.99 at frys but couldnt pull the trigger sorry. Haha. Got Em!!

6/14/10

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

2/24/10



6/14/10

That was pretty funny and I do remember thinking I would blind buy but a couple of other blind buys killed that notion. I will still get around to seeing though no doubt. Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

For those interested, we can discuss in detail here...

https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...ml#post3384653

Sorry for clogging this thread up.

[HanaBi]

Originally Posted by Q!

I will blindbuy this one.

You need to check out Pusher by the same director, it's great. Part of a trilogy, but I don't know if the latter two are just as great.

Also directed Bronson which supposedly is just as awesome.

Cool, thanks for the recommendation. Actually just ordered the Pusher trilogy from DeepDiscount for about $16. May rent Bronson as well.